Mercury dips as cold wave spreads further

Temperatures in big cities of the country including Dhaka have dropped by another 2-3°C as winter intensifies its grip further.

There was a slight increase in temperatures in the northern regions but the north-westerly wind is making it feel colder, reports Bangla Tribune. 

This condition is likely to prevail for the next few days, according to the Met office.

“A mild cold wave is sweeping over the regions of Sreemangal, Pabna, Bogra, Badalgachi, Dinajpur, and Chuadanga and it may continue,” said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in their daily weather bulletin.

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On Saturday, the lowest temperature in Bangladesh was recorded at 7.9°C in Sreemangal. The lowest temperature in the country on Friday was registered at 6.5°C, the lowest this season. 

Although the mercury has risen marginally, temperatures in the divisional cities, especially in the capital, have dropped by about 3°C.

The lowest temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 13.6°C, Mymensingh at 11.5°C, Chittagong at 14°C, Sylhet at 12°C, Khulna at 12.6°C, Barisal at 10.6°C, Rajshahi at 10.6°C, and Rangpur at 11°C. 

Also read - Northern Bangladesh shivers in cold wave

Temperatures in Rajshahi and Rangpur increased slightly compared to Friday.

Weather may remain dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, said the BMD in their weather forecast.

Moderate to thick fog is likely to occur over the river basins and light to moderate fog is likely to occur elsewhere over the country from midnight to morning, it added.

Northern Bangladesh shivers in cold

A moderate cold wave continues to sweep over northern Bangladesh, with no end to the sufferings of the poor and the homeless. 

Due to thick fog and freezing winds, low income groups are unable to go out for work. Vehicles cannot ply on roads without headlights on even during the day due to a lack of visibility. People have to burn straws or make makeshift campfires to stay warm.

Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital paediatrician Monowarul Islam said the number of patients admitted to the emergency department has increased. About 30 children with diarrhoea and whooping cough have been admitted to the hospital as of writing this report.

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The hospital’s Residential Medical Officer (RMO) Sirajuddaula Palin said: “The number of patients with cold and cold-related illnesses has increased. No hospital beds are currently vacant. A lot of diarrhoea and cold cases are being treated at the outpatient department.”

Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner Sabina Yasmin said 21,700 blankets had been distributed in the entire district through five upazila nirbahi officers. Besides, Tk30 lakh had been allocated for the collection and distribution of winter clothes locally in each upazila.

Additional reporting by Sazzadur Rahman Sazzad, Panchagarh